HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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the assessment tax was increased by 7 per cent., but it was understood that the imposition was to be temporary; namely, during the period of the war. But Hong Kong was less affected by the war and trade depression was not then so much felt in the Colony as it is today; due, no doubt, to the fall of the value of the dollar and the internecine strife in China.
I trust, therefore, that the Government will see its way of declaring that the imposition of this tax is but temporary and it will be removed when the value of the dollar goes up or when the financial position of the Colony is improved.
Grants To Vernacular Schools.
Under Head 28, Education Department, in the Budget, I find that the item under Capitation Grant is reduced from that of last year by $3,430 and as pointed out by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall, the item "Subsidies to Elementary Vernacular Schools in Hong Kong" by $15,000. These grants and subsidies are a means of helping the carrying on of schools under private enterprise.
The more of these schools are established in the Colony the lighter will be the responsibility of the Government for providing Government schools for the education of the people. From an economic point of view the cutting down of these grants and subsidies, I submit, is not a good policy; particularly as the Govern- ment is paying, I understand, about 75 per cent. of the costs of maintaining its schools besides the heavy cost of erecting school building.
In view of the rapid development in the Kowloon City area the need of an Anglo-Chinese School there is very real. Although there is one in existence by private enterprise, it may have to close its doors soon for want of Government support. I would therefore urge that the Government will take the matter up seriously either to give support to this existing school or to provide a Government school for the inhabitants of Kowloon City.
I do not intend to criticise here the educational system of the Colony, but I do wish to express the gratitude of the poor to the Government for taking an interest in the establishment of trade schools by appointing a Committee to enquire into the feasibility or possibility of establishing such schools where the poor can learn a trade to enable them to make a living.
With these few remarks I wish to join with my Honourable Unofficial colleagues in pledging to Your Excellency my loyal support and co-operation.-(Applause).
THE HON. MR. PAUL LAUDER.--Sir, I have studied the Budget for the year 1931, also the speech by the Honourable the Colonial Secretary on this subject, with much interest.
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